Operations Manager

JR Wholesale Meats Limited is a well-established Auckland-based meat processing and wholesale business supplying a wide range of customers across foodservice, retail, and commercial channels.

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to join our senior leadership team and take responsibility for our core operational functions across Production, Warehouse, and Logistics.

This is a key leadership position, leading 5+ direct reports and more than 50 operational, production, warehouse, and logistics staff across both AM and PM shifts. The role reports directly to the Business Manager and will play an important part in driving operational performance, people leadership, and continuous improvement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Operations Manager will be responsible for leading the day-to-day performance of Production, Warehouse, and Logistics. You will oversee production planning, forecasting, operational cost control, labour productivity, yield, DIFOT, throughput, quality, safety, maintenance coordination, purchasing, and people management.

This is a senior operational leadership role requiring someone who can operate at both a strategic and tactical level. You will need to be comfortable working with data, systems, planning, and commercial performance, while also being close enough to the floor to understand what is happening operationally.

You will act as an important bridge between Sales, Operations, Finance. The successful person will be expected to maintain business stability, improve cost control and margins, and support change as the business continues to grow and evolve.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead operational performance across Production, Warehouse, Logistics, Planning, Maintenance, and Purchasing.

• Manage 5+ direct reports and provide leadership across 50+ operational, production, warehouse, and logistics staff across AM and PM shifts.

• Drive cost control, productivity, yield improvement, margin improvement, throughput, and operational efficiency.

• Lead production planning, forecasting, resource planning, and scheduling to align customer demand with operational capability.

• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, QA, Health & Safety, and Management to support customer service, compliance, and safe working practices.

• Improve DIFOT, labour utilisation, stock control, order accuracy, quality, and safety performance.

• Lead performance management, workforce planning, staff accountability, and team development.

• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, or similar methodologies.

• Support change management, business improvement initiatives, and implementation of new ways of working.

• Provide clear reporting, communication, and escalation to the Business Manager on operational performance, risks, and opportunities.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for an experienced and proven operational leader with a strong production or manufacturing background. Meat industry experience is preferred, but the key requirement is strong operational leadership experience in a fast-paced production environment.

You will be someone who can “zoom in and zoom out” — able to understand the details of daily operations while also contributing to planning, forecasting, cost control, business improvement, and change management.

• Proven experience in an Operations Manager, Production Manager, Site Manager, or senior manufacturing leadership role.

• Experience in meat processing, food manufacturing, FMCG, or a fast-paced production/manufacturing environment.

• Strong people leadership experience, including managing direct reports, leading large operational teams, holding people accountable, and building a positive team culture.

• Strong commercial awareness, including cost control, margin improvement, labour efficiency, yield, and productivity.

• Experience with planning, forecasting, ERP/production systems, and structured continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, or similar.

• Good understanding of quality, food safety, compliance, and health and safety, with the ability to lead change and manage day-to-day people matters confidently.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A key leadership role in an established and growing business.

• Opportunity to shape operations and drive meaningful change.

• Broad responsibility across Production, Warehouse, Logistics, Planning, Maintenance, Purchasing, and People Management.

• A role where commercial impact, operational improvement, and leadership capability are valued.

• Competitive salary based on skills and experience.

HOURS AND LOCATION

This is a full-time, permanent role based fully onsite in Auckland.

The role is primarily Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work required depending on operational needs.